Access Pickens County Divorce Records
Pickens County divorce decree records are kept at the Clerk of Superior Court in Jasper, Georgia, and are public records open to anyone under Georgia's Open Records Act. The clerk's office is the direct source for certified copies of divorce decrees and case file searches for divorces finalized in Pickens County. This page explains how to request records, what those records typically include, what fees to expect, the Georgia laws that govern divorces in this county, and where to get legal help if you need it.
Pickens County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Obtain Pickens County Divorce Decrees
The Pickens County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 52 N. Main Street, Jasper, GA 30143. Reach the office by phone at (706) 253-8761. The Pickens County website has information about the clerk's office, including hours. In-person visits to the Jasper courthouse are the quickest way to get a certified copy of a divorce decree. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties. The approximate year of the divorce helps staff search the index fast.
If you need to request records by mail, write to the clerk at 52 N. Main Street, Jasper, GA 30143. Include both spouses' full legal names, the divorce year, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. A money order for the estimated copy fee will help avoid back-and-forth. Call the office before sending to confirm the current fee and accepted payment methods. Mail requests take more time than in-person visits. For anything urgent, going to Jasper in person is the better route. Some older Pickens County records, particularly from the 1970s and earlier, may exist only in paper ledger books. Call ahead if the case is more than a few decades old.
What Pickens County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce decree from Pickens County Superior Court is the judge's final order dissolving a marriage. It is the official record of when and how the divorce was granted. The decree names both parties, states the date the divorce was finalized, identifies the grounds used, and records the court's decisions on all issues in the case including property, debt, alimony, and anything related to children.
The full case file stored at the Pickens County clerk's office holds much more than the final decree. The file opens with the petition one spouse filed to start the case. The other party's response, if one was submitted, is included. Temporary orders entered by the judge while the case was pending are part of the record. Financial disclosures required by Georgia courts, any negotiated settlement agreement the parties signed, parenting plans, and child support worksheets all end up in the file when they are relevant. When the case closes, the final decree is placed at the top of the file. Every document in the file is a public court record available for viewing or copying at the Jasper courthouse. Some information about minor children may be restricted under court rules, but the decree itself is open to the public. You do not need to be a party to the case or provide a reason for your request.
Pickens County Divorce Decree Fees
The Pickens County Clerk of Superior Court charges fees for copies of divorce records. Certified copies, bearing the clerk's seal and signature, cost more than uncertified photocopies. Courts, government agencies, and most legal institutions require certified copies. Plain photocopies cost less and work fine for personal use. Call (706) 253-8761 before your visit to get current pricing.
Searching the public index and reviewing files in person at the courthouse is free. You only pay for copies you take with you. If you need more than one certified copy, ask whether the clerk offers a reduced rate when you order multiple copies at the same time. Cash and check are the usual payment methods at the counter. Mail requests generally require a money order. The office can confirm when you call.
Georgia Divorce Law and Pickens County Cases
Pickens County divorce cases are governed by Georgia state law. At least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before the case is filed, under OCGA 19-5-2. The case is properly filed in the county where the defendant spouse lives, which in most Pickens County cases is Jasper. Georgia law under OCGA 19-5-3 recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce.
Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the most commonly used ground in Pickens County and across Georgia. It is the no-fault option. Neither side has to prove the other did anything wrong. The remaining twelve fault-based grounds include adultery, desertion, and cruel treatment. Using a fault ground can affect how the judge rules on property and alimony, but it makes the case more difficult and more expensive. Once the judge signs the final decree, both parties have 30 days to appeal. The divorce becomes final at the end of that window if no appeal is filed. OCGA 19-5-1 defines what a divorce is under Georgia law. Pickens County divorce records are public under the Georgia Open Records Act.
Online Access and the Pickens County Clerk
The Georgia Courts website can point you toward court records resources for Pickens County and the rest of the state. Online docket search availability varies by county. Some Superior Courts in Georgia offer online case lookup by name or case number, while others require an in-person visit. Check the Pickens County court page or call the clerk's office to find out what digital access is currently available.
The image below shows the Pickens County Clerk of Superior Court, which maintains all divorce decree records for cases filed in the county.
For divorces that occurred between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health can provide a divorce verification at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, website dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. DPH offers verification, not certified copies of the actual decree. The Pickens County clerk is the source for certified decree documents.
Legal Help for Pickens County Residents
Free and low-cost legal resources are available to Pickens County residents going through a divorce. Georgia Legal Aid helps eligible low-income individuals with family law matters including divorce. The Georgia Legal Services Program provides similar help and may be able to connect you with an attorney or paralegal who can guide you through the process. Both programs require that you meet income eligibility criteria.
For uncontested divorces where both parties agree on everything, the Georgia Courts self-help divorce forms are a free option. They are accepted in Pickens County Superior Court and cover the full process from start to finish. For more complicated cases, especially those involving children, disputed property, or a spouse who is difficult to serve or communicate with, hiring a private attorney makes the process more manageable. The State Bar of Georgia offers a lawyer referral service to help you find a family law attorney in the area. The clerk's office handles document filing but cannot give you legal advice.